Vacuum ball-holding and projecting apparatus

ABSTRACT

A vacuum ball-holding device for releasably holding a ball. The vacuum ball-holding device has a suction cup for holding a ball and an elongated handle fixed to and extending from the suction cup. The suction cup has a tubular extension formed with an axial passage having a central axis coinciding with an axis of a sphere part of which is formed by the interior surface of the suction cup. The elongated handle has a central axis coinciding with the latter axis of the sphere. A passage is formed extending axially through the tubular extension of the suction cup and exiting at an exterior surface of the handle at the region of the hand of the operator so that the operator&#39;&#39;s hand may be used for closing and opening the passage.

United States Patent [191 Carver VACUUM BALL-HOLDING AND PRQJPCTINQAPPARATUS [22] Filed: June 14, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 152,643

[52] US. Cl 273/96 R [51] Int. Cl A63b 71/02 [58] Field of Search 273/96R, 64; 124/5, 124/95 R [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS2,771,294 11/1956 MacChesney 273/96 R 2,147,907 2/1939 MacChesney 273/64Primary Examiner-Richard C. Pinkham Assistant Examiner-Marvin SiskindAttorney-Alex Friedman et a1.

[57] ABSTRACT A vacuum ball-holding device for releasably holding aball. The vacuum ball-holding device has a suction cup for holding aball and an elongated handle fixed to' and extending from the suctioncup. The suction cup has a tubular extension formed with an axialpassage having a central axis coinciding with an axis of a sphere partof which is formed by the interior surface of the suction cup. Theelongated handle has a central axis coinciding with the latter axis ofthe sphere. A passage is formed extending axially through the tubularextension of the suction cup and exiting at an exterior surface of thehandle at the region of the hand of the operator so that the operatorshand may be used for closing and opening the passage.

8 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures Patented Oct. 16, 1973 52 44 52 INVENTOR.

PIC/A420 /v. CARL/6R Ma ATTORNEYS VACUUM BALL-HOLDING AND PROJECTINGAPPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates toball-holding devices.

In particular, the present invention relates to vacuum ball-holdingdevices.

Although devices of this latter type have already been provided, theknown devices are relatively cumbersome and difficult to use. Forexample such devices may have a generally U-shaped configuration andinclude a plurality of suction cups for holding a ball. An elongatedpassage is required to extend in a complex manner between the suctioncups and to be rendered accessible to a hand of the operator for openingand closing the passage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a primary object of the present inventionto provide a ball-holding device of the above general type which avoidsthe disadvantages of the known structure.

Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a far simplerdevice which requires only one suction cup and which can be operated ina manner which is far more convenient than has heretofore been possible.

In particular, it is an object of the invention to provide anexceedingly simple yet highly effective vacuum ball-holding device wherethe operator can very readily manipulate a ball by throwing the lattervery easily upon releasing the vacuum and also by catching a ball in ahighly effective manner so that a game of great skill can be played withthe device of the invention.

According to the invention the device includes a suction cup having aninterior surface forming part of a sphere and adapted to engage a ball.An elongated handle is fixed to and extends from a tubular extension ofthe suction cup. This tubular extension of the suction cup is formedwith an axial bore having an axis coinciding with an axis of the sphereof which the interior surface of the suction cup forms a part. Theelongated handle has a central axis coinciding with the axis of the boreof the tubular extension and the suction cup. A passage means extendsalong the axial bore of the tubular extension of the suction cup to theexterior of the handle at the region thereof occupied by the hand of theoperator, so that the operators hand can be used for closing and openingthe passage means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS The invention is illustrated by way ofexample in the accompanying drawings which form part of this applicationand in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of the device of the invention asit is held by the hand of the operator;

FIG. 2 is a transverse section taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1 in thedirection of the arrows; and

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional elevation of the deviceof FIGS. 1 and 2 taken in a plane which contains the central axis of thehandle and the axial bore of the tubular extension of the suction cup.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 3,there is shown therein a suction cup which may be made of any suitableflexible resilient material such as a suitable plastic, rubber, or thelike. This suction cup 10 has an interior surface 12 forming part of asphere and adapted to engage a ball 14 fragmentarily illustrated inphantom lines in FIG. 1. This ball may, for example, have a diameter onthe order of seven inches.

The suction cup 10 has an elongated tubular extension 16 formed with anaxial bore 18 passing therethrough. This bore 18 has a central axiscoinciding with an axis of the sphere of which the surface 12 forms apart.

An elongated handle 20 is fixed to and extends from the tubularextension 16, this handle 20 having a central axis coinciding with theaxis of the bore 18. The handle 20 may be made of any suitable plasticor the like and is generally tapered, as is apparent from FIGS. 1 and 3.At its exterior surface the handle 20 is provided with longitudinalflutes 22, so that the handle may conveniently be gripped by the hand ofthe operator as shown in phantom lines in FIG. 1.

The handle 20 includes the elongated rear grip portion 24 which isdirectly held by the hand of the operator and a front connecting member26 which is directly connected to the tubular extension 16. This frontconnecting member 26 has a front exterior cylindrical portion 28surrounding the tubular extension 16 and an interior cylindrical portion30 which extends into the tubular extension 16, this cylindrical portion30 being tapered as shown in FIG. 3 so that the elastic tubular portion16 is spread onto the inner cylindrical portion 30 of connecting member26 to be centrally held thereby in the annular space defined between theouter and inner cylindrical portion 28 and 30.

To the rear of these cylindrical portions the connecting member 26 has atubular portion 32 directly fixed in any suitable way to the interior ofthe front end of the grip 24. This grip 24 has a transverse partition 34which closes the hollow interior of the connecting member 26.

At its upper region the portion 32 of the connecting member 26 is formedwith an elongated slot or notch 36 receiving a projection 38 extendingaxially along the interior of the front portion of the grip 24 in frontof the partition 34. This projection 38 is formed with a radial bore 40extending to the exterior of the grip 24 and communicating with theinterior of the connecting member 26 at its portion 32.

In order to increase the security of the connection between the suctioncup 10 and the handle 20, an elongated tubular member 42, made of asuitable metal, for example, extends through the axial bore 18 andthrough an axial bore at the front end of the inner cylindrical portion30 of the connecting member 26. This inner portion 30 is formed with anannular surface 44 while the axial bore 18 of the suction cup 10 isformed with an annular surface 46, these surfaces forming annularshoulders which are directed away from each other. The tubular member 42is formed at its opposed ends with outwardly directed flanges 48 and 50engaging the shoulders 44 and 46, respectively, with a suitable washer52 being interposed between the flange 50 and the shoulder 46. In thisway an exceedingly secure connection is provided between the suction cup10 and the elongated handle means 20.

Because the central axis of the handle means 20 coincides with the axisof the axial bore 18 of the tubular extension 16 of the suction cup 10,the device of the invention is exceedingly simple and convenient tohandle. The axial bore 18, or the interior of the tubular member 42,together with the communicating hollow interior of the portions 30 and32 of the connecting member 26 of the handle 20, and also the radialbore 40 form a passage means communicating with the interior of thesuction cup as well as with the exterior of the handle 20 at a regionthereof occupied by the hand of the operator, as is apparent fromFIG. 1. Thus, with this arrangement the thumb of the operator, forexample, can conveniently be used for opening and closing the passagemeans which communicates with the interior of the suction cup.

During use of the device a ball 14 can be securely held by the suctioncup as long as the operator closes the radial bore 40 of the passagemeans. While holding the device in this position it is possible toeffectively catch and hold a ball with the device of the invention. Onthe other hand, when the ball is to be thrown the operator can swing hisarm and by suitably timing movement of his thumb away from the bore 40the vacuum at the interior of the suction cup can be vented to theatmosphere, thus releasing the suction and releasing the ball to bethrown by the operator. Thus by suitably planning the swing of his armand the removal of his thumb from the bore 40 it is possible to providean exceedingly effective trajectory for a ball released from the suctioncup while at the same time such a ball can be very effectively caught,thus enabling the device of the invention to provide a game requiring ahigh degree of skill and providing a considerable amount ofentertainment.

What is claimed is:

l. A vacuum ball-holding device comprising a suction cup having an innerball-engaging surface forming part of a sphere, said suction cup havinga tubular extension formed with an axial bore having an axis coincidingwith an axis of said sphere, an elongated straight handle fixed to andextending from said tubular extension of said suction cup and having acentral axis coinciding with said axis of said bore, and passage meansformed in said elongated handle, communicating with said axial bore ofsaid tubular extension of said suction cup and extending through saidhandle to the exterior thereof at a region where said handle is held bythe operator so that the hand of the operator can be used for closingand opening said passage means to hold and release, respectively, a ballheld by said suction cup, said handle including an elongated grip to beengaged by the operator and a connecting member connecting said grip tosaid tubular extension of said suction cup, said connecting memberhaving a central tubular passage extending therethrough andcommunicating with said axial bore of said extension of said suctioncup, and said grip having a transverse surface closing the opening ofsaid connecting member, said connecting member being formed with anaxial slot and said grip having forwardly of said transverse surface aportion extending into said slot and formed with a radial borecommunicating with the interior of said tubular connecting member, saidinterior of said tubular connecting member and said radial bore formingsaid passage means with said radial bore having an outer end to beengaged by a thumb of the operator.

2. A vacuum ball-holding device comprising a suction cup having an innerball-engaging surface forming part of a sphere, said suction cup havinga tubular extension formed with an axial bore having an axis coincidingwith an axis of said sphere, an elongated straight handle fixed to andextending from said tubular extension of said suction cup and having acentral axis coinciding with said axis of said bore, and passage meansformed in said elongated handle, communicating with said axial bore ofsaid tubular extension of said suction cup and extending through saidhandle to the exterior thereof at a region where said handle is held bythe operator so that the hand of the operator can be used for closingand opening said passage means to hold and release, respectively, a ballheld by said suction cup, said handle including an elongated grip to beengaged by the operator and a connecting member connecting said grip tosaid tubular extension of said suction cup, said connecting memberhaving a central tubular passage extending therethrough andcommunicating with said axial bore of said extension of said suctioncup, and said grip being formed with a transverse partition closing theopening of said connecting member, said connecting member being formedwith an axial slot and said grip having forwardly of said partition aportion extending into said slot and formed with a radial borecommunicating with the interior of said tubular connecting member, saidinterior of said tubular connecting member and said radial bore formingsaid passage means with said radial bore having an outer end to beengaged by a thumb of the operator.

3. The combination of claim 2 and wherein said connecting member has anexterior cylindrical portion surrounding said tubular extension of saidsuction cup and an interior cylindrical portion extending into theinterior of said tubular extension and having an interior which definessaid axial passage of said connecting member which forms a continuationof said axial bore of said tubular extension of said suction cup.

4. A vacuum ball-holding device comprising a suction cup having an innerball-engaging surface forming part of a sphere, said suction cup havinga tubular extension formed with an axial bore having an axis coincidingwith an axis of said sphere, an elongated handle fixed to and extendingfrom said tubular extension of said suction cup and having a centralaxis coinciding with said axis of said bore, and passage means form edin said elongated handle, communicating with said axial bore of saidtubular extension of said suction cup and extending through said handleto the exterior thereof at a region where said handle is held by theoperator so that the hand of the operator can be used for closing andopening said passage means to hold and release, respectively, a ballheld by said suction cup, said handle including an elongated grip to beengaged by the operator and a connecting member connecting said grip tosaid tubular extension of said suction cup, said connecting memberhaving a central tubular passage extending therethrough andcommunicating with said axial bore of said extension of said suctioncup, and said grip being formed with a transverse partition closing theopening of said connecting member, said connecting member being formedwith an axial slot and said grip having forwardly of said partition aportion extending into said slot and formed with a radial borecommunicating with the interior of said tubular connecting member, saidinterior of said tubular connecting member and said radial bore formingsaid passage means with said radial bore having an outer end to beengaged by a thumb of the operator, said connecting member having anexterior cylindrical portion surrounding said tubular extension of saidsuction cup and an interior cylindrical portion extending into theinterior of said tubular extension and having an interior which definessaid axial passage of said connecting member which forms a continuationof said axial bore of said tubular extension of said suction cup, anelongated tubular member extending into said inner cylindrical portionof said connecting member and along the interior of said tubularextension of said suction cup for connecting the latter to saidconnecting member.

5. The combination of claim 4 and wherein said interior cylindricalportion of said connecting member and said tubular extension of saidsuction cup are respectively formed with annular surfaces surroundingtheir common axis and directed away from each other, and said tubularmember having flanges overlapping said annular surfaces forinterconnecting said suction cup with said connecting member.

6. The combination of claim 5 and wherein said elongated grip is taperedand is formed at its exterior with longitudinal flutes.

7. The combination of claim 5 and wherein said inner and outercylindrical portions of said connecting member define an annular spacereceiving an annular portion of said tubular extension of said suctioncup.

8. The combination of claim 7 and wherein said inner cylindrical portionof said connecting member is tapered and said tubular extension of saidsuction cup is expanded onto said tapered interior cylindrical portionof said connecting member.

1. A vacuum ball-holding device comprising a suction cup having an innerball-engaging surface forming part of a sphere, said suction cup havinga tubular extension formed with an axial bore having an axis coincidingwith an axis of said sphere, an elongated straight handle fixed to andextending from said tubular extension of said suction cup and having acentral axis coinciding with said axis of said bore, and passage meansformed in said elongated handle, communicating with said axial bore ofsaid tubular extension of said suction cup and extending through saidhandle to the exterior thereof at a region where said handle is held bythe operator so that the hand of the operator can be used for closingand opening said passage means to hold and release, respectively, a ballheld by said suction cup, said handle including an elongated grip to beengaged by the operator and a connecting member connecting said grip tosaid tubular extension of said suction cup, said connecting memberhaving a central tubular passage extending therethrough andcommunicating with said axial bore of said extension of said suctioncup, and said grip having a transverse surface closing the opening ofsaid connecting member, said connecting member being formed with anaxial slot and said grip having forwardly of said transverse surface aportion extending into said slot and formed with a radial borecommunicating with the interior of said tubular connecting member, saidinterior of said tubular connecting member and said radial bore formingsaid passage means with said radial bore having an outer end to beengaged by a thumb of the operator.
 2. A vacuum ball-holding devicecomprising a suction cup having an inner ball-engaging surface formingpart of a sphere, said suction cup having a tubular extension formedwith an axial bore having an axis coinciding with an axis of saidsphere, an elongated straight handle fixed to and extending from saidtubular extension of said suction cup and having a central axiscoinciding with said axis of said bore, and passage means formed in saidelongated handle, communicating with said axial bore of said tubularextension of said suction cup and extending through said handle to theexterior thereof at a region where said handle is held by the operatorso that the hand of the operator can be used for closing and openingsaid passage means to hold and release, respectively, a ball held bysaid suction cup, said handle including an elongated grip to be engagedby the operator and a connecting member connecting said grip to saidtubular extension of said suction cup, said connecting member having acentral tubular passage extending therethrough and communicating withsaid axial bore of said extension of said suction cup, and said gripbeing formed with a transverse partition closing the opening of saidconnecting member, said connecting member being formed with an axialslot and said grip having forwardly of said partition a portionextending into said slot and formed with a radial bore communicatingwith the interior of said tubular connecting member, said interior ofsaid tubular connecting member and said radial bore forming said passagemeans with said radial bore having an outer end to be engaged by a thumbof the operator.
 3. The combination of claim 2 and wherein saidconnecting member has an exterior cylindrical portion surrounding saidtubular extension of said suction cup and an interior cylindricalportion extending into the interior of said tubular extension and havingan interior which defines said axial passage of said connecting memberwhich forms a continuation of said axial bore of said tubular extensionof said suction cup.
 4. A vacuum ball-holding device comprising asuction cup having an inner ball-engaging surface forming part of asphere, said suction cup having a tubular extension formed with an axialbore having an axis coinciding with an axis of said sphere, an elongatedhandle fixed to and extending from said tubular extension of saidsuction cup and having a central axis coinciding with said axis of saidbore, and passage means formed in said elongated handle, communicatingwith said axial bore of said tubular extension of said suction cup andextending through said handle to the exterior thereof at a region wheresaid handle is held by the operator so that the hand of the operator canbe used for closing and opening said passage means to hold and release,respectively, a ball held by said suction cup, said handle including anelongated grip to be engaged by the operator and a connecting memberconnecting said grip to said tubular extension of said suction cup, saidconnecting member having a central tubular passage extendingtherethrough and communicating with said axial bore of said extension ofsaid suction cup, and said grip being formed with a transverse partitionclosing the opening of said connecting member, said connecting memberbeing formed with an axial slot and said grip having forwardly of saidpartition a portion extending into said slot and formed with a radialbore communicating with the interior of said tubular connecting member,said interior of said tubular connecting member and said radial boreforming said passage means with said radial bore having an outer end tobe engaged by a thumb of the operator, said connecting member having anexterior cylindrical portion surrounding said tubular extension of saidsuction cup and an interior cylindrical portion extending into theinterior of said tubular extension and having an interior which definessaid axial passage of said connecting member which forms a continuationof said axial bore of said tubular extension of said suction cup, anelongated tubular member extending into said inner cylindrical portionof said connecting member and along the interior of said tubularextension of said suction cup for connecting the latter to saidconnecting member.
 5. The combination of claim 4 and wherein saidinterior cylindrical portion of said connecting member and said tubularextension of said suction cup are respectively formed with annularsurfaces surrounding their common axis and directed away from eachother, and said tubular member having flanges overlapping said annularsurfaces for interconnecting said suction cup with said connectingmember.
 6. The combination of claim 5 and wherein said elongated grip istapered and is formed at its exterior with longitudinal flutes.
 7. Thecombination of claim 5 and wherein said inner and outer cylindricalportions of said connecting member define an annular space receiving anannular portion of said tubular extension of said suction cup.
 8. Thecombination of claim 7 and wherein said inner cylindrical portion ofsaid connecting member is tapered and saiD tubular extension of saidsuction cup is expanded onto said tapered interior cylindrical portionof said connecting member.